Could cancer treatment come from bioelectrical signalling?

A recent study has suggested that bioelectrical signalling could be adapted to treat cancer.

The study research found that the voltage difference between the inside and outside of cells is "vitally important" to stem cell therapies.

Drs Michael Levin and David Kaplan from Tufts University were responsible for establishing the existence of this difference, known as the transmembrane potential.

However, they are now attempting to establish if tampering with the potential in certain cells will have a knock-on effect on cells throughout the organism.

Published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, the report found that the method could help to treat problems associated with stem cells.

These can include birth defects, cancers and congenital issues in the foetus.

The results appear to be promising so far, the scientists reported, suggesting that bioelectrical therapy could at some stage be adapted for the treatment of cancers, birth defects and other regenerative needs.